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By Heidecker A

Several types of drainage structure providecost-effective environmental controls for water supply to Charters Towers and its mining industry. Drainage groves maintain bank-levee, channel, pool, and spring structures. Failure of drainage structures leads to anoxic fermentation of channel fill releasing residues, such as arsenic, which would otherwise pass harmlesly by fixed on sedimentary particles.Experiments along drainage structures indicate that productive agroforestry could be integrated with expeditious development of groves to cope with environmental change.

Jan 1, 1990

By Dr. Ralph W. Edie

The limestone reef reservoir at Swan Hills consists essentially of a "buildup" of successively smaller atoll-like layers. Precipitation of calcium carbonate within the lagoonal area of each layer essentially kept pace with growth of the outer organic lattice. Within the reef mass, six de-positional environments characterized by specific suites of fossils (or fossil fragments) and associated limestone textures are recognized as follows: ( 1) Aerated moderately agitated water of normal marine salinity (widespread shelf or submerged reef-built platform). Thamnopora-type corals, Amphipora, "pancake" stroma-toporoids, crinoids, articulate bra-chiopods, rare rugose cup corals, and ostracods occurs in light gray-buff skeletal microgranular limestone of low permeability. (2) Semi-stagnant quiet water of normal marine salinity (leeward side of reef). Crinoids, articulate brachio-pods, rare thamnopora-type corals, Amphipora, pancake and bulbous stromatoporoids, rugose cup corals, ostracods and gastropods occur in impermeable dark brown argillaceous skeletal calcilutite with thin black bituminous shale beds and rare dark chert nodules.

Jan 1, 1961

By Kimberlee Falkenstein, Volha Kibitkina, Jessica Steeves

A series of experiments were conducted to obtain site specific constants for the vibration produced by a single charge and by more charges detonating in sequence, using short delay intervals. All charges were placed in relatively long boreholes in granite without a free face other than the ground surface. The boreholes were filled with water to provide good coupling with the rock and to provide identical confinement for all the blasts. Vibrations were recorded close to each blast in the vertical direction by uniaxial high frequency geophones and far field using a triaxial geophone.

Jan 1, 2013

By A. McLean, M. Iwase, K. Wakimoto, K. Katogi, Y. Kikuchi

One of the greatest obstacles to the application of physical chemistry principles to the elucidation of slag-metal reactions is a lack of knowledge of activities of the reacting species. To a large extent, oxygen potential of the slag phase governs iron and steelmaking practice. Without oxygen control by means of appropriate sensors, the behaviour of the other elements cannot be managed. In this paper, measurements of the FeO activity with various types of electrochemical FeO sensors will be described together with examples of their applications for improved strategies toward better practice for ladle metallurgy and sulphur and manganese distributions between slag and metal phases during steelmaking. Measurements of FeO activity have also been made in order to improve dephosphorization reactions. This type of work has led to significant reduction in volume of slag generated within the steelmaking vessel, which in turn has important implications for refractory wear, metal yield, alloy recovery and improved productivity. Finally, an on-line sensor is described that permits the oxygen potential to be determined for both the metal phase and the slag phase during steelmaking in the BOF.

Jan 1, 2004

By P. J. van der Walt

The paper1(hereinafter BG) by two respected sampling experts contains sound theory and logic that can?t be directly refuted. Nevertheless, a practitioner knows that there is a broader context in which the practice of sampling takes place. This broader context, being less well defined than the theory of correct sampling, receives correspondingly less exposure which this commentary??prompted by? BG?seeks to rectify. ?Correctness? of a sampler is the central concern of BG, where it is presented as a sharp ?black-and-white ?distinction. Accordingly, comments below are grouped under the following headings: ?Correctness in practice ?Without correctness, what can be done? ?The broader context.

Jan 1, 2002

Aamot, Olav Crone, (M'29) Chem. Engr., Elektrokemisk, Raadhusgt. 23, Oslo, Norway. Abadilla, Quirico A., (M'3S) Min. Engr., Dir., Bu¬ reau of Mines. Manila, P. I. Abbott, Agatin Townsend, (J'40) Jr. Engr., Phelps Dodge Corp., Morenci Branch, Morenci. Ariz. Abbott, Clarence E., (M'04) Civil Engr., V.P., Ten¬nessee Coal Iron & R.R.. Co., 1542 Brown -Marx Bldg.. Birmingham, Ala. Abel, Raymond L., (M'28) Chem. Engr., Command¬ing, Officer, Pittsburgh Chem. Warfare Procurement Dist., American Bank Bldg., Pittsburgh. Pa. Abel, Walter D., (M'32) Alin. Engr.. Div. of Cor¬porations, State of Calif., 403 California State Bldg., Los Angeles, Calif. Abele, Louis T., (M'31) 423 3rd Ave., Decatur, Ga. Abell, Leo M., (M'31) Mill Supt. & Met., Emperor Gold Min. Co., Led., Vatnkoula, Fiji Islands. Abernathy, G. E., (M'38) Geol., Kansas State Geol. Survey, Pittsburg, Bans. Abernathy, Jack H., (M'40) Peer. Engr., c/o Superior Oil Corp., National Bank of Tulsa Bldg., Tulsa, Okla. Aborn, Robert H., (M'10) Asst. Met., Research Lab., U. S. Steel Corp., Lincoln Highway, Kearny, N. J. Abraham, A. W., (M'39) Peer. Engr., Richfield Oil Corp., 555 S. Flower St., Los Angeles, Calif. Abramowitz, William L., (J'40) Chem., Industrial Inventions, Inc., 103 Foster Se., Peabody, Mass.

Jan 1, 1942

By Jeff Whyatt

Deformation of underground salt, trona and potash mines is generally time dependent, providing for gradual adjustment of strata to mining induced stresses. Time dependence can allow for higher extraction ratios provided eventual failure can be tolerated. However, this eventual failure can be violent if creep deformation can shift stress and potential energy to strong, brittle geologic units. The mine failure case studies reviewed here illustrate this process. Yield pillars and defects in bridging strata figure prominently in these cases. Yield pillars provide local and temporary support to the roof, temporarily delaying the cave; and allowing extraction ratios and overburden spans to increase beyond the long term capacity of overlying strata. Defects (faults, voids, thinning) of strong overburden strata reduce the critical span, sometimes to less than panel width. Analyses of many of these cases have focused on a cascading pillar failure mechanism, but recent work and this review point to failure of strong overburden strata as the essential element. The suddenness of failure and attendant seismic events pose hazards to miners and, in some cases, to those on the surface. Characterizing these failures is a first step towards recognizing and managing the risk of catastrophic collapse in underground mines.

Jan 1, 2008

By J. Hurdley, J. A. Plant, H. Robotham, P. R. Simpson, G. C. Lalor

Paper presented at the 28th International Geological Congress held in Washington DC, July 1989 (International geochemical mapping sessions). The results of orientation studies for a regional geochemical survey of Jamaica and the CARICOM countries of the Caribbean region are described. The survey is designed to provide systematic geochemical information for a wide variety of applications and, especially, to form a basis for agricultural development in the region

Jul 1, 1991

By C. Maree

Paper written on project work carried out in partial fulfilment of B. Eng (Chem. Eng.) This paper describes the development and use of a process simulator to optimize gypsum recovery at Afmine, a small plant near Yzerfontein on the South African West Coast. The simulator consisted of models of the major plant equipment, viz. hydrocyclones, surge bins, settling tanks, a primary sieve and a dewatering screen. Experimental data suggested that the equipment could be modelled satisfactorily from data published in the open literature. Simulation studies have indicated that gypsum losses on the plant could be reduced substantially by means of some relatively minor modifications to the plant layout. Moreover, sensitivity analyses of the plant have indicated that optimization of the settling tanks should receive priority over the other process units.

Jan 1, 2005

By Gerald Greene

Tan various lead producers have given the subject of lead drosses much attention in recent years but the problem of their economical treatment is yet to be solved. Formerly the copper in the furnace feed was removed from the furnace in the form of matte. The speiss at that time consisted principally of the iron arsenide. The practice today is to roast off most of the sulfur and the copper in the feed forms a dross in the furnace, which is removed from the furnace with the lead. This material is poured into the drossing kettles and allowed to cool down to but slightly above the freezing point of lead. The copper dross, containing almost all of the arsenic and part of the antimony, is skimmed off and treated in a small reverberatory furnace at most plants. This is essentially a liquation process. The skimmed dross contains from 70 to 80 per cent lead, and much of this lead is liquated out. The products from this treatment are: (1) impure lead, (2) speiss and (3) matte. The speiss from the reverberatory furnace was studied in this research. The literature on the subject is of very little assistance, as almost no work has been done on the problem of establishing the exact identity of the various phases present. One author(1) states that speiss consists of a series of isomorphous compounds of the general formula FexAsy in which the Fe may be replaced by Ni, Co, Cu, Pb, Ag, Au, Pt, Zn, Cd and the As replaced by Sb, S and Bi. Hofman(2) states that the iron arsenide present is Fe5As.

Jan 1, 1935

By Sukru Sumer

East Pit Lake is an artificially created lake that resulted from the remediation and reclamation of surface coal mining operations at TransAlta Utilities' Whitewood Mine in the Wabamun area west of Edmonton, Alberta. The original excavation resulted from the creation of a mine end cut at the northern extent of the mining operation. The area of the surficial drainage basin that feeds East Pit Lake was relatively small. Therefore, most of the inflow and outflow from the lake would result from regional ground water flow. There was a concern about the lake's ability to provide a suitable habitat for a sportfish population. To determine the final recovered water level and rates of recovery, a two-dimensional ground water flow model was used. Data supplied by nested piezometers in and around the mine were used to calibrate the computer simulation and assess predicted recovery.

Jan 1, 1995

It is no longer satisfactory to assess the value of a coking coal on its intrinsic properties alone; its value depends upon its behaviour as a component in a blend. No single test can be used to make this assessment, it can only be made by carrying out a suite of tests. The quality parameters which are considered desirable, and which have widespread acceptance, have been discussed and their application to the blending of coals from New South Wales and New Zealand has been reported and discussed. Blending can be utilised to offset deficiencies, or capitalise on advantages, of the individual coals making up a blend. Coals can be blended, which alone are poorly, Coking, but which have compensating features. Blending also allows better exploitation of coking coal reserves. Several applications of blending have been reviewed with regard to coal producers and exporters, as well as coal users. The possibility of extracting a coking coal fraction from fuel coals is discussed. Blending systems and the coking of coal are also briefly reviewed.

Jan 1, 1971

By Suk han Jang

This paper describes the tower foundation design and construction experience for the 345kV Youngheung marine transmission line, which has been in commercial operation in Korea since July, 2004. This transmission line was designed and constructed to meet the rapidly increasing power demands of metropolitan areas and supply stable, bulk electric power from the Yonghung thermal power plant into metropolitan areas. This transmission line passes over the west sea, Lake Sihwa and over land. In order to successfully complete this project, and to safely support the tower during severe maritime conditions, several types of tower foundation such as Pad and Chimney foundation, Pier (Cylindrical) foundation, R.C.D foundation, Jacket pile foundation and Steel pipe pile + concrete mat foundation were developed and used. As the world?s first and longest marine transmission line, the 345kV Yonghung marine transmission line operates successfully, thanks to several high-tech civil engineering technologies and KEPCO?s accumulated experience.

Jan 1, 2007

Underground mine designs typically try to avoid extraction beneath streams and rivers of any significant size, especially when the overburden rock thickness between the stream bed and the mine is thin. Potential issues with mining beneath streams include excessive groundwater inflow to the mine; weak ground (roof, floor, and pillar) conditions; horizontal stress effects; as well as stream loss and other potential adverse environmental effects. However, there are times when crossing beneath a stream or river is necessary to move into a new area of mineral reserve without creating additional mine access points from the ground surface. Often, stream crossings are completed without thorough assessment, potentially resulting in increased costs, decreased safety, and, in some cases, failure to advance the mine. Selection of the most favorable location(s) to cross the stream must account for numerous factors and the associated assessment often requires a multidisciplinary approach. Stream crossing investigations often require geological, hydrogeological, geotechnical, and geophysical expertise. Phases of stream crossing investigations include desktop evaluation of maps and aerial photography, stream bed observations, drilling, detailed rock core logging, downhole geophysical surveying, hydraulic conductivity testing (packer testing), geotechnical laboratory testing, assessment, and reporting. The deliverables from a stream crossing assessment typically include geological, geotechnical, and hydrogeological characterization of potential stream crossing locations; classification of favorable and unfavorable crossing locations; recommendations for entry design and pillar sizing; and recommendations for if, and how, to conduct pre-grouting activities. Examples of technical aspects of data collection and assessment are provided based on decades of industry experience conducting stream crossing assessments in various underground mining scenarios.

Jul 28, 2020

By Efrem R. Reeves, David C. Byrne

This study was conducted as part of a project involving the evaluation of a new type of noise exposure monitoring paradigm. Laboratory tests were conducted to assess how “nonstandard” dosimeter microphones and microphone po­sitions measured noise levels under different acoustical condi­tions (i.e., diffuse ?eld and direct ?eld). The data presented in this article re?ect measurement differences due to microphone position and mounting/supporting structure only and are not an evaluation of any particular complete dosimeter system. To varying degrees, the results obtained with the dosimeter microphones used in this study differed from the reference results obtained in the unperturbed (subject absent) sound ?eld with a precision (suitable for use in an ANSI Type 1 sound level meter) 1/2 -inch (12.7 mm) measurement microphone. Effects of dosimeter microphone placement in a diffuse ?eld were found to be minor for most of the test microphones/locations, while direct ?eld microphone placement effects were found to be quite large depending on the microphone position and supporting structure, sound source location, and noise spectrum.

By Canterford J. H, Sparrow G. J, Dyson N. F

Pressure leaching of a bulk flotation concentrate prepared from a complex Cu-Pb-Zn sulphide ore was carried out at 150 and 190¦C under 1050 kPa oxygen overpressure in 1 L and 4 L titanium autoclaves to extract zinc, and to obtain residues for smelting tests and leach liquors for purification and recovery of the zinc by electrowinning. Dissolution of 95% of the zinc was achieved at both temperatures. Copper and iron dissolution and the degree of oxidation of the sulphide sulphur to elemental sulphur or sulphate depended on the temperature of the leach. At 190¦C, a jarosite (a basic iron sulphate) was the major iron-containing material in a residue that contained 17% total sulphur. Its formation was associated with dissolution of 18% of the iron. At 150¦C, oxidation of the sulphide sulphur and dissolution of the iron were significantly less. Only 7% of the iron was dissolved and a residue containing 25% total sulphur, present as a lead jarosite, lead sulphate, and elemental sulphur, was obtained. The formation of small pellets of unreacted sulphides coated with elemental sulphur caused problems during the leaching at 150¦C, and also during scale-up from the 1 L to the 4 L autoclave at 190¦C. At 150¦C the concentrate required two stages of leaching to achieve dissolution of over 90% of the zinc. These problems are discussed.

Jan 1, 1989

By David Kress

Mill crushing drive systems are essential to cement producers. With the increased emphasis on operating efficiency, it is vital that these systems be dependable and reliable. No one needs the costs or headaches associated with unscheduled downtime or inefficient machinery operation. A reliable drive system starts with the proper selection of the ring, or girth, gear and continues through proper maintenance. Ideally, selecting the right girth gear brings together the gear manufacturer, the system designer and the end user. The gear manufacturer must know the details of the application, the demands that will be placed on the gear and the nature of the equipment to be driven. Similarly, the user and the system designer must be familiar with the variables that affect gear drive performance and service. For example, an application that places a torque load on the drive in excess of its rated capacity will result in gear tooth distress and, in severe cases, breakage.

Jan 1, 2000

Shortly after Denny, Robson, and Irwin published their first paper in 1937, on the prevention of silicosis by metallic aluminium, experiments were begun on the practical application of the discovery.It was thought at that time that aluminium powder, to be effective in aluminium therapy, would have to be intimately admixed with siliceous dust at the latter's source. There followed several years of experimental work underground, during which the application of aluminium powder was tested in:(1) Speakers on machine columns, vibrated by drills.(2) Vials placed in drill holes to be blasted.(3) Both homogeneous and heterogeneous mixture with explosives.(4) Packages with tamping.(5) Compressed-air lines.(6) Special compressed-air ejectors for use while drilling and after blasting.(7) The discharge of ventilation fans.(8) The filters of respirators.It was concluded from this research that any adequate method of introducing aluminium powder into a mine atmosphere would require too much extra gear, supervision, and aluminium p;wder, and would interfere unduly with underground routine.Later, animal experiments by Denny, Robson, and Irwin2 showed that aluminium powder provided effective therapy when inhaled independent of silica dust. Therefore, some means of surface treatment was deemed more practical.APPARATUS USED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALUMINIUM PROPHYLAXIS SAMPLINGA basic requirement was a method of sampling to assess accurately the particle-size concentrations of dispersed aluminium powder. Konimetry, though regularly practised at McIrityre, was inadequate for the research in mind. On the other hand, the efficiency of the thermal precipitator was recognized as being very high. Accordingly, the latter instrument was chosen as best suited to our needs. Through the courtesy of the Ontario...

Jan 1, 1945

By G. C. Smith

Process control applications in the minerals processing industry have grown extensively over the years due to the many benefits derived, both financially and operation-wise. Although control theory is widely known, conventional control does not address many of the problems posed by minerals processing circuits. Some of these problems include interactions between process units, large dead times, few and sometimes unreliable measurements of process variables, non-linear systems, disturbances entering the process, processes with varying dynamics, and many more. For the past 26 years Mintek has been active in the field of providing specific, customized solutions for the minerals processing industry. This paper focuses specifically on applications in milling and flotation control. The underlying control principles have been applied to a wide range of other processes including submerged arc furnaces. Advanced control application is implemented on a common advanced control platform, called the PlantStar. Much innovation has been brought to the fore in terms of adapting theoretical techniques and developing new methods to resolve specific milling and flotation circuit issues by using process control. The general approach adopted by Mintek when implementing advanced control is to enforce stabilization of the process as a solid foundation for optimization strategies to be built upon. In doing this, a robust control solution is presented, and the end result is flow and level stability, better product quality regulation, increase in throughput and a stable feed to downstream processes. The MillStar advanced milling control system ensures that the milling circuit is at all times easy to operate while achieving optimum product quality and throughput. Stabilization should include product size regulation and sump level control. Another important aspect of stabilization control is the handling of milling circuit constraints without introducing cyclical behaviour and with minimal disturbance to the final product quality. Process constraints may include factors such as process water limitations, cyclone feed density, and cyclone underflow angle. An optimization strategy should be developed to increase the mill throughput without affecting product quality or introducing mill overloads. The relationship between solids feed and power draw is examined and manipulated for optimization. The interactive nature of flotation circuits and the presence of recirculating streams tend to make satisfactory control almost impossible with conventional techniques such as PI (Proportional plus Integral) or PID (Proportional, Integral and Derivative) control. The FloatStar Level Stabilizer simultaneously considers all the flotation levels in a circuit by use of a multivariable algorithm, and takes compensating action in anticipation of disturbances. The FloatStar Flow Optimizer is an optimization strategy that controls the concentrate flow rate between various sections of a flotation circuit (e.g. Rougher ?Cleaner; Cleaner ?Recleaner). By controlling the concentrate flow between the sections, the mass pull, circulating loads and residence times of the circuit can be stabilized, thereby enhancing the performance of the flotation process. Optimizing grade and recovery are coupled with the dynamic optimization of circulating flows. The FloatStar Grade-Recovery Optimizer will maximize the grade in a section, whilst ensuring that recovery or any other process specific limits remain within predefined limits. With successful applications on several milling and flotation plants worldwide processing amongst others PGMs, gold, copper and nickel, Mintek has shown that it is a leader in milling and flotation control innovation

Jan 1, 2004

By S. Peterson, E. C. Westman, P. L. Swanson

Coal bumps are brittle, violent failures associated with high stresses and competent host strata. To study bump mechanisms, conditions in the vicinity of a deep longwall mining face in bump-prone strata were monitored using three discrete systems. First, a microseismic monitoring network recorded mining-induced seismic events throughout the mine and surrounding strata. Second, pressure variations and distributions on the longwall shield legs across the face were recorded. Last, tomography surveys imaged seismic transmission properties ahead of the face. Results from the three systems were correlated in an effort to increase understanding of mining-induced stress redistribution and bump potential. An initial, one-week study showed that the correlation between averaged tomogram values and seismically active areas had a coefficient of correlation (R) of 0.89. Further results of these studies demonstrate that the tomography system is capable of imaging heavy shield-leg loading and bump-prone conditions prior to them disrupting the face operations.